Also this issue: The Fantom Melvin Buzz Osborne plans a hostile ambient takeover with The Melvins. -A.D. Amorosi Song of Himself Fred Hersch takes solo piano to a new place. -Nate Chinen Beat Box -Ain� Ardron-Doley Red Bull Music Academy 2002 -Sean O’Neal The Rezillos -Sam Adams

June 20-26, 2002

musicpicks

The Orange Peels

Seems the near-breakup of his beloved Orange Peels so upset Allen Clapp that he headed straight for the nearest time machine to try and undo the damage. He must have miscalibrated, though, at least to judge from Available Light (March), which sounds like he overshot the Peels' mid-'90s beginnings and ended up in 1974. According to the release's press materials, the album was kicked off by Clapp's fascination with his newly acquired Rhodes keyboard, which is probably a better explanation than trying to figure out how Todd Rundgren and Alex Chilton could've had a baby midwived by Dennis DeYoung. Though it wears its retro heart on its polyester sleeve, Light is still as refreshing as a nice, cool glass of Tab, but without the carcinogenic aftertaste. And happy endings abound -- the band stayed together, at least long enough to back Clapp on half of his "solo" tour, including Thursday's Khyber show.

Thu., June 20, 9 p.m., $7, with Dressy Bessy, The Sand Family and Walkie Talkies, The Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888.

—Sam Adams